"Strong biographical historical drama"

In 1777, the colonial forces flounder in the battle at Saratoga, New York against the troops of English General Burgoyne. The ragtag rebels are ready to retreat although no orders have come from leader General Gates. Realizing that an opportunity for success is at hand and Gates is nowhere to be found, General Arnold rallies the troops and leads a counter assault. The Americans win the battle, but Gates takes the glory. Over the next few years, Arnold proves to be the best field Commander, but fame and fortune seem to go to others less capable and in some cases abject failures. Beautiful teenage Pennsylvanian Tory Peggy Shipton and British top colonial spymaster Major John Andre recruit the frustrated Arnold to betray the West Point Fortress. They almost succeeded except for the unlikely heroic intervention of three skinners.

This five act play is a strong biographical look at one of the most fascinating tragic figures in American history. The story line paints quite a different picture of Benedict Arnold, whose name denotes traitor. Of equal interest is the insightful glimpse at other key Founding Fathers especially Gates as well as Arnold's two partners in treachery. Readers will appreciate this fine drama and hope a production will one day follow.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 17, 2005

Summary

Benedict Arnold was the greatest combat soldier of the American Revolution. Yet, in September 1780, in collusion with the beautiful Tory agent Peggy Shippen and British spymaster John Andre, he attempted to betray George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, Alexander Hamilton, and the critical fortress of West Point into Royal hands. This devastating plot came within a hair's breath of succeeding, and the fragile infant American cause was only saved by the chance intervention of three of the humblest and most improbable heroes ever to grace the annals of history. Exciting and dramatic, the tale of the Arnold conspiracy recounts the most perilous moment in the birth of the new nation, and plumbs the depths and the heights of human nature. Now, in the historically accurate play, Benedict Arnold, noted scientist and author Robert Zubrin brings this incredible and still meaningful story back to life.